Mr. Vijayaragavan Gopal
Please explain how you have conducted trainings on the Learning to Live Together Programme. (600 words)
I have conducted LTLT training sessions from 2007. I have considered it as a part of my responsibility to spread the message of common brotherhood where ever I go. LTLT has provided me that platform. I strongly believe in self-driven learning. Our role as trainers is just to show the participants the strong and profound truths discussed in the LTLT guidelines. Beyond that we facilitate the learning process. I never advice, force and make long speeches of utopianism. Its all about motivation and the remaining process sets in on its own. That’s is introspection-based learning.
My experience both positive and negative is a reference for beginners. I make them to try out new methodologies, techniques and concepts – experiment-based learning. Only if you experiment and try out new ideas will innovation bloom- innovation based learning. All innovative techniques need not be successful. Some ideas brush the peaks and become critically acclaimed as a contribution for the goodness of humanity, but ideas even though may look comprehensive; may not find acceptance. It would invite scorn and brickbats. Well that’s experience based learning. Whatever be it, the learning process must go on. It’s a cycle of happenings.
I remember when I was doing my first training programme with children in 2007; to explain the word empathy seemed to be very difficult. So we arranged a trip to the local old age home and asked the children to interact with the elderly people there. Later we debriefed and made a role reversal, made the children role play as the elderly people and what they expect from young people. Now the writing was clear on the wall. Its not just sympathy; but it is to put ourselves in the place of people in need and to feel what they are experiencing. We may not be able to alleviate their problems each time but we can surely try to lend an ear, a comforting word and a warm hug. This has been the way how I have conducted my sessions through LTLT. We are mere bridges to link people.
In 2008; a boy called Arun called upon me and said “I and my friends have collected 22 kg rice what can I do anna (brother; in local language – Tamil)”. I said well we can try to distribute them to people in need, Hiv affected families. I guided and just showed them a way and what blossomed was an initiative named FOOD BANK which has sustained itself for the past 10 years and continues to grow stronger, better and more sustainable. The idea received great acknowledgement at the GNRC 5th Forum in Tanzania. In FOOD BANK initiative our volunteers collect handful if not possible fistfuls of rice and grains; store them and distribute them. We are now able to collect, pack and give way 500 kg per month. An innovation from the LTLT based learning – where the question “what I can do to be a solution for poverty” triggered the innovator in the young boy Arun; stands tall 10 years later and today is one of our flagship programmes.
How have you used the LTLT Ethics Education Framework? (400 words)
Explain how the conducted trainings have been sensitive to the local context. (400 words)
How has the conducted trainings impacted the trained facilitators? (400 words)
Please give some examples to show your resourcefulness and creativity to organize trainings of facilitators. (600 words)
How have you provided mentorship and guidance to trained facilitators? (400 words)
How has the Learning to Live Together Programme influenced a positive transformation in you, in a personal and professional level? (400 words)
Please explain how you exemplify a strong role-model of the principles of Learning to Live Together. (400 words)
Explain how you act as an ambassador and advocator of the Learning to Live Together Programme in your local context. (600 words)